Simple Tenses Continuous Tenses Perfect Tenses
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The present perfect continuous is formed by: have/has + been + present participle
The present perfect continuous tense is used to:
XXX* tell about the duration of an ongoing action that began in the past and continues to the present
XXX* indicate a meaning of lately or recently, without referernce to a duration of time
Benny and Wilma have been talking for 3 hours.
XXX(The action- talking- began 3 hourss ago and continues)
Paul has been swimming for his exercise recently.
XXX(The action- swimming- started a short while ago and continues)
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
The past perfect continuous is formed by: had + been + present participle
The past perfect continuous tense is used:
XXX* to tell about the duration of an ongoing action that began in the past and was completed before
XXXanother action in the past
XXX* to tell about the effect of an ongoing action that began in the past and was completed in the past
Harold had been wating to see the doctor for 2 hours before being seen.
XXX(The action- waiting- lasted for 2 hours)
My father was exhausted because he had been working in the garden since dawn.
XXX(The action- working- caused the exhaustion)
Future Perfect Continuous Tense
The future perfect continuous is formed by: will + have + been + present participle.
The future perfect continuous tense is used to tell:
XXX* that an ongoing action will continue in the future until another action occurs in the future
XXX* to tell about the effect of an ongoing action that will continue into the future until another action occurs
Francis will have been studying for the Bar Exam for 6 months before taking it.
XXX(The action- studying- will last for six months and end sometime in the future)
Stanley will be very hungry when he finally eat because he will have been fasting for one week)
XXX(The action- fasting- will last for one week and end sometime in the future)
Other links for Perfect Continuous Tenses
XX Present Perfect Continuous Tense
XX Past Perfect Continuous Tense
XX Future Perfect Continuous Tense
For more information about the perfect continuous tenses take a look at
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An explanation of the perfect continuous present, past and future tenses and when to use the perfect continuous tenses– www.understandinggrammar.com